Despite having COVID-19 cases on the rise and the number of hospitalizations dangerously increasing, Gov. Greg Abbott has recently announced that he will not impose another statewide mask mandate.
“There will be no mask mandate imposed, and the reasons for that are very clear,” Abbott told KPRC. “There are so many people who have immunities to COVID, whether it be through the vaccination, whether it be through their own exposure and their recovery from it, which would be acquired immunity.”
According to the KVUE COVID Tracker, Travis/Austin County has 282 new confirmed coronavirus cases. Hospitalizations continue to rise on account of the Delta variant, health officials across Central Texas have moved back to previous phases – promoting more safety precautions.
Data from Mayo Clinic found the average positive test rate in Texas to be at an all-time high since May, with an average of 9.83.
With only 43% of Texas’ eligible population vaccinated, there is concern for the rising Delta variant, a highly contagious strain of coronavirus.
The vaccines have been proven effective against the new strain, however, those who remain unvaccinated are left vulnerable to the virus, particularly children who are set to go back to school in the fall.
Back in May, Abbott announced schools wouldn’t be allowed to require masks either, “No student, teacher, parent, or other staff member or visitor may be required to wear a face covering,” reads Abbott’s new order.
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